Leverett’s Chapel Independent School District

LC Community- Last Friday night, the Class of 2025 took the Leverett’s Chapel auditorium for one last time as students of LCISD, and it was a fantastic evening. Carson Ford and Ethan Kirk delivered the Valedictorian and Salutatorian speeches, reflecting on their journeys and thanking the staff for always pushing them to be better learners and leaders. We were honored to have scholarship presentations from Barry Barrett, President of the Exe's Association, LC graduate Colby Shaw of Eastman Chemical, Mary Taylor presenting the Wes McWhorter Memorial Scholarship, Derrick Logozzo from Kilgore College's Instrumental Music and Bands Program Director, and Jimmy Chapman of the Rusk County Democratic Party. Thanks to their generosity and the hard work of our graduates, they earned institutional scholarships of $59,150, external scholarships of $42,250, and FAFSA awards totaling $159,175, for a combined total of $260,575. We wish the Class of 2025 all the best in their future endeavors, once a Lion, always a Lion. We also want to extend a sincere thank-you to their families, friends, community members, staff, and the LCISD School Board of Trustees for their continued support. Small School, Big Dreams, Bold Futures. Go Lions!

LC Community- Small School. Big Dreams. Bold Futures. We are very excited to celebrate our 4th and 5th-grade scientists whose creativity and hard work shone brightly in the last six weeks’ science projects! Mrs. Batie and her kiddos worked up to the very last moment. Please join us in congratulating our winners: Principal’s Choice Award: Brantley O’Neal 1st Place: Adam and Seth Winegheart 2nd Place: Xavi Ronriquez (Live Turtle Exhibit) (not pictured) 3rd Place: Kendra Riewer (Live Fish Habitat) (not pictured) 4th Place: Sammy Sanchez Go Lions!

LC Community- As I conclude my third full year as superintendent—and my twenty-second year proudly serving LCISD—I’m filled with immense pride for our collective achievements. Under the strategic leadership of our Board of Trustees, our remarkable students have excelled in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in every corner of our district. Our dedicated staff has shown extraordinary creativity and compassion, bringing out the very best in each Lion. When we achieve new pinnacles of success, it’s because of your steadfast commitment; when we face obstacles and perhaps fall a little short of our goals, I shoulder the responsibility and pledge to become an even more visionary leader. This school—and this community—mean everything to me. From our spirited Spring Band Concerts and UIL triumphs to the jubilant Elementary Field Day and the heartwarming Senior/Kindergarten Walk, we’ve created memories that will last a lifetime. Tonight, as we honor our graduates at Senior Graduation, we celebrate: Small school. Black and Gold. Big dreams. Bold futures. It’s not where you start—it’s where you’re going. Our seniors are stepping into the real world carrying Lion Pride in their hearts—once a Lion, always a Lion—and today marks both an ending and the beginning of their next great adventure. As we look ahead, let us carry the words of Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Thank you to our families, faith partners, local businesses, and Board of Trustees for standing with us every step of the way and making LCISD feel like home for everyone who walks through our doors. Enjoy your summer, and I look forward to seeing you next school year—if not sooner. Go Lions!

LC Community- Help us cheer on Junior De’Waylon Brown as he heads to Pflugerville for the UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contest on May 24th! He’ll shine with his Class One percussion solo at Hendrickson High School. Safe travels to Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Deveraux, and Keaton Geter as they support him. De’Waylon, we’re all behind you—play your heart out and make LCISD proud! Go Lions!

LC Community- Leverett’s Chapel ISD is incredibly grateful for the incredible support from our community partners. Thank you to Home Depot (Tyler), Walmart (Kilgore), Shane Bailey, Horace Mann Insurance, Sam’s Club (Tyler), BASA, B&H Pump and Supply, Lowe’s (Henderson), O’Reilly’s (Kilgore), Gabriel Jordan (Henderson), The Back Porch, Megan Hamner, Magen Miller, Southern Supply House, A.E. Robertson, Altra Bank, Quality Lumber & Supply, Brandi Willeford, C&T Hair Salon, Circle Café, and Old School Services—your generosity made our Senior Breakfast and Project Graduation possible. A special thank-you goes to Leverett’s Chapel Bible Fellowship Church for the wonderful food spread and warm hospitality. Your partnership means the world to us. Our “Small School. Big Dreams. Bold Futures.” spirit shines brightest when local businesses, individual donors, and church leaders come together to invest in our students. With your help, the Class of 2025 has enjoyed a memorable celebration and the launchpad they deserve—because it’s not where you start, but where you are going. Thank you for championing our Seniors! Go Lions!

LC Community- Leverett’s Chapel ISD will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day. As we enjoy this time with family and friends, let us pause to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms—and to salute those who continue to serve our country today. Our offices will resume summer hours on Tuesday, May 27, at 8:00 a.m. Wishing everyone a safe, reflective holiday weekend. Go Lions!

LC Community- Today we’re proud to celebrate National Band Director Day by honoring Mrs. Amanda Johnson as she concludes her 22nd year leading the Lion Bands at Leverett’s Chapel. Over more than two decades, Amanda’s passion and dedication have turned each season into a musical journey—raising the bar a little higher every year. From halftime shows that bring our community to its feet to guiding first-time musicians through those first notes, Mrs. Johnson’s steady leadership has created countless memories and strengthened our LC family. Thank you, Mrs. Johnson, for your extraordinary contributions and for inspiring our band students—past, present, and future—to hit every note with confidence. Go Lions! P.S. I am making a list of all of the people who "laughed" at me being taped to the wall.

Check this out! Mr. Everett has been taped to the wall! Thank you everyone for your donations to the Senior Class of 2025, and thank you to Mr. Everett for being such a great sport! Happy last week of school!

LC Community- Leverett’s Chapel is proud to announce this year’s All-District superlatives for our Lions baseball team: Ethan Vaden earned District Defensive MVP honors; Carson Ford was named 1st Team Pitcher; Ethan Williams secured 1st Team Shortstop; Dewaylon Brown made 2nd Team Outfield; Bubba Tryon was recognized as 2nd Team Third Base; Ethan Kirk claimed All-District Utility; while Trent Wheat and Keaton Geter received Honorable Mentions in Outfield and First Base, respectively. Congratulations, gentlemen Go Lions!

Junior High Fun Day is on Wednesday, May 21st! Please see the flyer below for what to wear and bring!

LC Community- LC Alumni Spotlight: Jessie Harris – From All-State to All Heart Class of 2013 | All-State Athlete | Salutatorian | Nurse | Business Owner | Community Leader Some students are great athletes. Others are brilliant scholars. And every so often, you get someone like Jessie Harris, who was both—and so much more. An all-state athlete in multiple sports, the 2013 Salutatorian, and one of the most memorable student-athletes to ever wear the Black and Gold, Jessie left it all on the field, in the classroom, and now, in life. I had the honor of coaching Jessie and making incredible memories—from Friday nights on the gridiron to trips to the state track meet. He was a competitor, a leader, and even back then, I had no doubt that he would be successful in whatever path he chose. And true to form, he didn’t choose just one—he’s lived several lives already, each with the same heart and hustle that made him a standout Lion. Kilgore College: The First Step Jessie signed his letter of intent to play football at Kilgore College in 2013. While juggling a full course load of 20+ credit hours per semester, he earned back-to-back honors as an Academic All-American in both 2014 and 2015. He graduated from KC with a 3.9 GPA and an Associate’s of Applied Science, all while gaining attention from Division I football programs. Sam Houston State University: D1 & Determined In 2015, Jessie transferred to Sam Houston State University, where he became the starting long snapper for both the 2015 and 2016 seasons. During his time there, Sam Houston won a conference championship and made two deep playoff runs. Through it all, Jessie maintained a 3.9 GPA, proving once again that his drive wasn’t just physical—it was intellectual and spiritual too. A Bigger Purpose: Nursing & Service As college football came to a close, Jessie faced a life-changing decision—pursue the NFL dream or pursue something deeper. In January 2017, he chose service over spotlight, applied to SHSU’s nursing program, and began the toughest academic challenge of his life. “Nursing school was one of the hardest obstacles I’ve ever faced,” he says—but he rose to the occasion, graduating with honors, joining the Nursing Honor Society, and being recognized for outstanding community service. After graduation in December 2019, Jessie joined Houston Methodist’s Emergency Department—just days before the COVID-19 pandemic hit full force. His first nursing job became a crash course in courage, working the frontlines during a global crisis, giving all he had for others. Back Home to Kilgore: Building a Legacy In October 2021, Jessie returned to East Texas, working at Christus Good Shepherd ER, but his heart still told him there was more to do. In May 2023, Jessie and his wife Lacie—who also has a strong medical background—took a leap of faith and assumed leadership of a hospice branch in Gilmer, moving it to Kilgore and renaming it Concho Hearts Hospice. Their mission? To redefine what compassionate healthcare looks like. “We believe in quality over quantity. Doing what’s right—not just what’s expected.” Their work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Jessie was recently honored as a “40 Under Forty” leader in end-of-life care, a recognition that speaks volumes about the impact he and Lacie are making across East Texas. The Heart Behind It All Jessie credits much of his story to where it all began—Leverett’s Chapel. “All I ever needed was an opportunity. And I found that opportunity in Leverett’s Chapel. The lessons I learned there—from discipline and teamwork to resilience—carried me through football, through nursing, and now, into owning a business where I get to serve people every single day.” Jessie, your story is powerful, inspiring, and a perfect example of why small schools matter. You are a walking testimony to what can happen when a young man is raised by a strong community, believes in himself, and never stops serving others. We are so proud of you—not just for your accomplishments, but for the kind of man you’ve become. From the sidelines to the emergency room to hospice care—you’ve always led with your heart. To the LC community—please share this spotlight and tag other alumni doing incredible things. Let’s keep lifting up the Lions who carry our legacy forward. Know someone who should be featured next? Email: meverett@leverettschapelisd.net Cell: 903-808-0182 Small school. Black and Gold. Big dreams. Bold futures. It’s not where you start—it’s where you’re going.

LC Community- What a morning at Leverett’s Chapel Elementary Field Day! Our Lions gave it their all—running, jumping, and cheering one another on—and had a blast wrapping up the year together. Field Day has been part of our elementary tradition for years and will continue to be for years to come. Thank you to every student, volunteer, and staff member who joined in the fun and helped everything run smoothly. A huge thank-you to Coach Bowers, our PE teacher, for planning and making sure today was a hit. As always, “Small school, big dreams; bold futures” shines through in moments like these. Check out these photos to relive some of today’s best moments! ( FB Reel to follow) Go Lions!

LC Community- What a great tradition we’ve had today at Leverett's Chapel ISD! The Senior/Kindergarten Walk was a wonderful reminder of how far our students have come. It’s always a special moment when our Seniors, ready to take the next step in their journey, walk alongside our Kindergarteners, who are just beginning their own path. Be sure to check out the reel Ms. Carmen created and shared on our Facebook page—it captures the spirit of the day perfectly! Please Share! Share! Share!` The countdown is on for our Seniors as they move forward into adulthood, and our Kindergarteners are getting ready for their next big adventure in "big school." Small school, big dreams, bold futures—it’s not where you start, but where you're going, and today was a perfect reflection of that. Go Lions!

LC Community- Today, our staff enjoyed a “Sip Sip Hooray” soda station courtesy of second-grade teacher Rachael Broach. This thoughtful gesture is just one of many acts of kindness we’ve experienced throughout the year. These moments of care and camaraderie build the warm, family-first culture that makes Leverett’s Chapel feel like home for students, staff, and our entire community. Thank you to Mrs. Broach and to everyone who takes the time to brighten someone’s day. Your generosity and spirit are what make LC truly special. Go Lions!

LC Community- A huge shout-out to National Trim of Tyler for the incredible job they did on our school vehicles! The graphics look amazing, and we couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out. It’s great to see our school so well represented on the road. If you're looking for top-notch graphics work, we highly recommend National Trim. They really know their stuff and go the extra mile to make sure you’re happy. We’re proud to show off their work and even prouder to let everyone know that Leverett’s Chapel is in town! Check them out at: 13282 County Rd 192, Tyler, TX 75703 Phone: (903) 597-8811 Thanks again, National Trim! Go Lions!

Celebrating the Class of 2025! Once again, Leverett’s Chapel ISD is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of our seniors. On Wednesday, May 22, 2025, at 7:45 AM, we’ll be treating the Class of 2025 to a special Senior Breakfast & Project Graduation at Leverett’s Chapel Bible Fellowship Church. This breakfast is our way of saying “thank you” to our seniors for the countless ways they’ve enriched our district—through academic excellence, leadership in extracurriculars, and by being shining examples of Lion Pride. A special thank-you to: All the individuals and businesses whose generous donations make Project Graduation possible. Your support ensures our students enjoy a fun, safe send-off. Leverett’s Chapel Bible Fellowship Church for graciously hosting us and providing a warm, welcoming space to gather. **Seniors—**We are so proud of you and grateful for everything you’ve contributed to LCISD. We can’t wait to celebrate your accomplishments together and send you off with Lion Pride and best wishes for the road ahead! Small school. Big dreams. Bold futures. It’s not where you start—it’s where you’re going. Go Lions!

LC Community- Annual Senior/Kindergarten Walk - Today at 9:15 AM This morning, we are excited to continue our annual tradition at Leverett’s Chapel ISD—the Senior/Kindergarten Walk, happening at 9:15 AM. It’s a special occasion where our graduating seniors will walk alongside our youngest Lions, the Kindergarten class. This event is a reminder of the journey our students take from the first steps of their education to the final moments of graduation. As we celebrate these milestones, we reflect on our district’s mission: small school, big dreams, bold futures. It’s not where you start—it’s where you’re going, and today we see that embodied in these students, both young and old. We’re incredibly proud of our students and all that they’ve accomplished. Later today, we’ll be sharing pictures and videos of this memorable event. Go Lions!

LC Community- Leverett's Chapel ISD would to share that we have successfully banked 135 instructional minutes and met the state’s required instructional minutes for this school year, and as long as we don’t miss any more school days before the year ends, we will release early at 1:45 p.m. on Friday, May 23rd. Please plan accordingly. We will begin car rider pick-up before 1:45 p.m. to help with a smooth and timely release. That same day, we will celebrate the achievements of several student groups: Kindergarten Graduation at 8:30 a.m. 8th Grade Graduation at 10:30 a.m. Senior Graduation at 7:00 p.m. Please come out and celebrate with us! Go Lions1

Come celebrate our athlete's achievements with us on Thursday, May 15th at 6:00 PM at the LCISD Cafeteria.

LC Community- LC Alumni Spotlight: Jose Espinosa – From the Black and Gold to the Road Ahead Welding Professional, LC Lion, and Proud Family Man From his first day of Pre-K to walking the stage in 2021, Jose Espinosa is the kind of Leverett’s Chapel story we love to tell. A homegrown LC Lion through and through, Jose’s journey is marked by resilience, growth, and discovering passion through hard work. Growing up at LC, Jose remembers school never feeling like a burden—it felt like home. “The staff at Leverett’s Chapel always felt like family. My teachers taught me lessons I still use today—not just in the classroom, but in real life,” he says. Like many students, Jose had his share of detours. He’s open about how the first half of high school came with distractions and missteps, but it’s what happened next that makes his story so powerful. “I liked to party, and I got off track. But my teachers—especially Mrs. Portley and Mr. Perry—never gave up on me. All that yelling, all that pushing... it mattered. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Jose was involved in cross country and track, and while he jokes about collecting fourth-place ribbons, it was being part of something bigger that stuck with him. He also played baseball, cherishing the memories of competing with his cousin Alexis Chavez—even through shoulder injuries and tough seasons. And then there was band. “Band was my favorite part of school,” he laughs. “Mrs. Johnson assigned me trumpet, and I was first chair from 6th grade to senior year. I used to memorize the music and never bring my sheets, and she’d chew me out every time—but I swear I was her favorite band member, even if she won’t admit it.” After high school, life brought a familiar struggle: what comes next? Jose changed his mind “about 100 times” before finally landing on what felt right—welding. He took a leap in the middle of a pre-calculus class, walked out, and changed his major to Welding Technology at Kilgore College, where he eventually earned his Associate’s Degree. Thanks to the guidance of his instructor, Cody Edwards, Jose landed a job at Saulsbury, starting as a helper. He worked hard, learned fast, and earned the chance to test as a combo welder. He passed and never looked back. Over the next year, he worked full-time and spent his free hours building in his personal shop, gaining the hands-on experience that would shape his next big step. That step? Investing in his own custom rig truck, fully outfitted and ready to hit the road. It wasn’t easy. “I didn’t realize how hard it would be to get into the field industry. It took weeks of calls and chasing leads. But I finally landed a job in Nebraska on a six-month project. Six weld tests later—I passed.” Now, Jose is heading to Lexington, Nebraska, welding on a new plant, still learning, still climbing. “Welding isn’t just how I make a living—it’s what I love to do.” Jose wants young people—and their parents—to know there are powerful paths in the trades. “Welding, electrical, plumbing, lineman work—these are great careers. I chose welding because it fits me, but there are so many options out there. Don’t overlook them.” Beyond the job site, Jose’s heart is with his family. He met Dyanna, the love of his life, in high school. After some on-and-off years, they grew together—and now, six years later, they’re raising a family of their own. On Valentine’s Day 2025, they welcomed their son, Emmanuel. Sundays are sacred. “It’s my only day off, so we make the most of it. We get ready for church, grab breakfast, run errands, and spend time together. Watching Emmanuel grow day by day—that’s the good stuff.” Jose credits Dyanna for being his rock. “She’s strong, beautiful, and so supportive. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.” His story isn’t one of overnight success—it’s one of everyday effort, real struggles, hard choices, and long-term grit. It’s a perfect reminder of what we believe at Leverett’s Chapel: It’s not where you start—it’s where you’re going. Jose, we are proud of the welder, husband, father, and man you’ve become. The Black and Gold runs deep in your story, and we’re lucky to call you one of our own. To our LC community—please share this spotlight and tag other LC alumni doing great things. Let’s keep lifting up the people who make this district proud. Know someone who should be featured next? Email: meverett@leverettschapelisd.net Cell: 903-808-0182 Small school. Black and Gold. Big dreams. Bold futures. Go Lions!